Folding back-rest.



H. E. BUTLER.

FOLDING BACK REST.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJB. 19:5.

1,21 9,437. Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

InvenTor- Henry E. Bufler His ATTorney.

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HENRY E. BUTLER, 0F SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

FOLDING BACK-REST.

Application filed August 18, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. BUTLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Back- Rests, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to folding back rests which are especially designed for use on beaches, in canoes, boats, hammocks, etc.

The object of my invention is to provide a combined seat and back rest that is inexpensive, light, and which can be folded up into a small space for convenience in transportation or packing.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and claim appended thereto.

The drawing, is a perspective view improved seat and back rest.

1 indicates a rectangular frame made of heavy wire and adapted to rest directly on the ground or other support. The adjacent ends of the wire, after bending, are preferably welded together, as by electrical means, thereby preventing the frame from spreading and also avoiding the annoyance due to clothing being caught between said ends. The frame can be made of non-rusting metal, or it can be coated with enamel or equivalent material. This is important where the device is to be used on salt water beaches.

The back rest 2 is made in the form of an inverted U, the lower ends of the side members being bent around the rear member of seat frame 1 to form eyes 2 that hinge the seat and back rest one to the other. By pref erence said eyes are pressed outwardly against the side members of the seat frame to prevent lateral shifting of the parts. This is done by making the back frame out of slightly elastic material and so forming it that the distance between the eyes is slightly greater than the length of the back edge of the seat frame. This serves to take up the lost-motion between the parts that would otherwise be present. By reason of the construction described I am also able to make the rear member of the seat frame serve as a bottom member for the adjustable back rest, thereby effecting a saving in material. Between the top and lower end of each side or leg of the back frame is an eye 3 made by of my Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

Serial No. 46,206.

bending the wire upon itself. Inserted in the eyes are the outwardly turned ends 4 of an adjustable prop 5 for the back. The prop is U-shaped in form and has rounded projections 6 on opposite sides which rest on the ground or support. The rounded projections assist in preventing the prop from slipping backward away from the seat. Where the supporting surface is soft the projections will enter it, but being well rounded will not injure the woodwork when the seat is placed in a canoe or boat.

To form the seat proper an envelop or bag 7 made out of duck, canvas, or equivalent material is slipped over the frame from the front. When formed in the manner shown only the sides have to be sewed. If desired, a cushion 8 may be inserted between the upper and lower surfaces of the envelop, or a cushion may be placed on top of the seat, or both.

The back rest is also provided with a covering 9 of duck, canvas, or the like. The upper part is made in the form of an envelop or bag 10 which slips down over the upper end of the frame for a portion of its length. The reference numeral 11 indicates the termination of the envelop portion of the covering. The covering is extended downward and thence under the rear member of the seat frame and for a short distance upward therefrom. In the edge thus formed are non-rusting eyelets 12. The lower back edge of the envelop is also provided with non-rusting eyelets. Passing through the top and bottom rows of eyelets is a lacing 13 by means of which the covering can be stretched tight. If desired, a cushion or pad 14 may be inserted between the front and rear parts of the covering and held in place by the lacing. Owing to the fact that the upper end of the back covering is made in the form of a bag or envelop which snugly fits the frame it is prevented from shifting sidewise and also from wrinkling. Since the lower end of the covering merely passes around the rear as distinguished from being fastened thereto, any stretch of the material can be taken up by the lacing.

In use the weight of the person occupying the seat prevents the same from moving and the inclination of the back can be changed any amount by merely moving the lower end of the prop toward or away from the seat. For carrying or packing, the seat is swung member of the seat frame,

' ticularly if pillows are not inserted in the seat and back rest coverings.

By making the seat and back coverings as described, and using non-rusting eyelets, they can be removed readily for the purpose of cleaning. V V

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 2- In a device of-thc character described, the combinationof a rectangular metal frame adapted to rest on the ground or other flat support, an adjustable back rest comprising an inverted U-shaped metal frame which has eyes, one palr of eyesln 1ts lower ends that Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

prop whose upper ends have eyesthat pass through said second pair of eyes in the U-shaped frame, a covering for theback rest frame that comprises an envelop which snugly incloses the upper end, and a portion which extends around .aerossmember of the V supporting frame, and a lacing for'securing said portion to the rear par't'ofthe envelop.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto "set my ha-ndthis 9th day ofAugnst, 1915.

HENRY E. BUTLER.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, D. C. 

